The 2024 season has just begun, however there are already those who have moved the first steps for the 2025 driver market. The arrival of Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari, made official last February 1st, has made available a highly coveted seat in Mercedes for the next season. AND among the most popular names to replace the 7-time world champion in Mercedes there is also that of one of his historic rivals, namely Fernando Alonso, who is still uncertain about his future.
Fernando is 42 years old but doesn't seem to feel them. His career over the years has led him to change sides several times and even to abandon the top category and then return. Master of his own destiny, for better or for worse, he wanted to point out, on the first day dedicated to the media in Australia, of having no constraints and not paying attention to what happens on the drivers' market to define the next steps in his career. Although the situations that are being created in the paddock are quite interesting. In addition to the Mercedes seat, there is the Red Bull issue -Horner-Verstappen which could further disrupt the market.
Fernando decided: “I won't follow what others do”
Although his name continues to be on everyone's lips - especially when compared to Mercedes after the meetings between Briatore and Toto Wolff, Fernando Alonso still reserves some time to decide.
“Not much has changed, and it won't change in the next few weeks or races. I don't want to wait until the summer, because I think it would be unfair for me and the team if they had to find other options and things like that, but I don't even want to rush and make a decision when I don't yet have clear ideas for next year“, explained Fernando who made it clear that he does not take what happens in the other garages, such as Mercedes and Red Bull, as a reference for his future. But to be rather coherent with himself, as well as the sole master of his own destiny.
“I've always been like this. Sometimes it helped me, sometimes it hurt me, but I was always the master of my destiny. I chose when to leave a team, when to join a team. I chose when to stop with F1 and when to return. And now I will choose what to do next year. I will not follow what others do, I will not let my destiny be dictated to me. I'll do it myself. For better or worse, this is my way of being".
Fernando wants to continue with Aston Martin
His latest bet was to choose a team that didn't have much hope of surviving in 2022. However, Aston Martin started the 2023 season with great ambitions, bringing Fernando back to the podium, and bringing him closer to the much coveted victory, number 33. The steps to achieve this goal still seem many, especially given the problems in this initial phase but once again everything will depend on Fernando's sensations. Not from the proposals, not from the available places, not from the results. The because Fernando says that, if he were to decide to stay, he would continue what he started with Aston Martin.
“I don't want to comment on – the rumors about a possible retirement – because every time I talk about it, it could be taken the wrong way. So I prefer not to comment until I have made the decision whether to continue or not. As I said at the presentation of the car, when I make the decision, the first office I will contact will be Aston Martin. It will be my priority, as a matter of loyalty towards them,” explained the Spaniard.
“I'm grateful for the opportunity they gave me two years ago. And if we find an agreement, then that will be my decision. If I don't find an agreement with Aston Martin, I will look elsewhere, but it will be the second option.".
Statement source: Motorsport.com
